Kuchiki Ginrei stood in front of the hall, in his dual capacity as the head of the family and the captain of Sixth Division, and in a smooth voice introduced the young man next to him who was about to officially become a member of Kuchiki family - Kuchiki Kyōka.
He emphasized Kōga's character and talent, as well as his contribution to maintaining Soul Society order, with concise and powerful words.
Below, Hirako Shinji tilted his head slightly, looked at Kuchiki Kyōka on the stage, and muttered at a volume that only a few people around him could hear clearly:
"Tsk, Yan Si, to be honest, this guy is not half as handsome as you. Speaking of his "keep away from strangers" Nobles style, he doesn't seem to be as good as you pretending to be."
Yan Si's hand holding the tea cup was as steady as a rock, his eyes didn't even move, and he responded calmly:
"Captain Hirako, it's okay to tease me, but if you comment on a newly promoted "top Nobles" in this situation, if someone with a heart hears it, I'm afraid it will cause unnecessary misunderstandings and troubles."
He paused and glanced at the eye-catching logo decorations on Kuchiki Kyōka.
"Please note that Kuchiki Kyōka not only inherited the name "Kuchiki", but also wore "Kazahana" representing the identity of Kuchiki family, and also had "Star-Tugging Pin" in his bun. From now on, he is officially Nobles."
He couldn't help but curse in his heart.
Isn't it just because he wrote the book <Genius Boy>? Why does this guy dig a hole for himself whenever he finds an opportunity?
Although most of the people sitting around were colleagues of Thirteen Court Guard Squads, there were quite a few Shinigami who were from Nobles or were closely related to Nobles.
Kyōraku Shunsui didn't even bring his Lieutenant Yadomaru Lisa, which shows the sensitivity of this occasion.
What if those words just now were passed on by someone who wanted to please Kuchiki family, and were written down by Nobles, the newbie who seems to be hard to mess with, that would be a real disaster.
He glanced at Hirako Shinji, whose eyes under his golden bangs seemed to flash with a smile that was watching a good show.
Doesn't this guy really want to kill someone with a borrowed knife? As for that!
I'm just a little Fifth Seat who wants to quietly write a book and goof off!
At this time, Aizen also leaned forward slightly and asked in a low voice with just the right tone of curiosity:
"Captain, I noticed that the Kazahana worn by Mr. Kōga is red, which is different from the white worn by Captain Kuchiki Ginrei. Is there anything special about it?"
Hirako Shinji made a "cut" sound, as if he was too lazy to explain, and directly looked at Kyōraku Shunsui next to him.
Kyōraku Shunsui understood, gently rubbed the edge of the wine glass with his fingers, and explained softly:
"The color of Kazahana is indeed differentiated within Kuchiki family. The white Kazahana can only be worn by direct descendants of the family.
Mr. Kōga is a married woman, so according to the rules of Kuchiki family, he can only wear this red Kazahana throughout his life."
His tone was calm, just stating common sense, but it made the listener clearly perceive the strict class barriers behind the rules.
"That's it..." Aizen nodded slightly, with a hint of indescribable meaning in his tone, but he didn't finish his words.
Yan Si's gaze turned to Yoruichi Shihōin, who was sitting next to him and tapping his fingers on the table in boredom.
The meaning of that look is very clear: Do you Shihoin Clan have such troublesome rules?
Yoruichi understood what he meant almost instantly and said carelessly:
"It's useless to look at me. Kazahana is something Kuchiki family made by himself. Our family doesn't like this.
Every big family always likes to make some unique rules to show off, especially when it comes to clearly distinguishing "theirs" from "outsiders". It's so boring."
She has always scorned such superficial efforts to highlight the boundaries between identities.
The ceremony on the stage went quickly and the process was concise.
Essentially, this is Kuchiki Ginrei officially pushing Kuchiki Kyōka in front of all Nobles and important Shinigami, announcing his identity as a Kuchiki family member.
One of the protagonists of today's banquet, Miss Kuchiki family, whom Kuchiki Kyōka is about to marry, did not show up.
As the ceremony came to an end and the guests began to chat more freely in low voices, Aizen suddenly spoke again, with a gentle voice, as if he just mentioned it casually:
"Speaking of which, the experience and temperament of this new Mr. Kuchiki Kyōka remind me of the protagonist Lan Chuan in Brother Yan Si's "Genius Boy".
They all come from ordinary backgrounds, but stand out with their outstanding talents and receive opportunities that are difficult for ordinary people to achieve."
He paused and turned to Yan Si, his eyes behind the lenses showing a friendly discussion.
"Brother Yan Si, if you want to write a follow-up to <Genius Boy>, will you also let Lan Chuan join a certain Nobles family?
With his genius and qualifications, being recruited by Nobles seems to be a logical development, right?"
"Oh? Lan Chuan will join Nobles in the future?" Hirako Shinji immediately became energetic and seemed to be very interested in this topic.
Kyōraku Shunsui also nodded slightly and joined the discussion:
"From the perspective of story logic, adding Nobles is not incomprehensible, but it seems that the plot direction will lack some unexpected twists."
Yan Si's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.
Aizen Is this guy waiting for me here?
Combined with what I just said about "system and balance", and my current observation of the Kuchiki Kyōka incident.
Did he deliberately raise this question to test his true views on "genius joining the existing system"? Or did he have other motives?
If you can really "magically change" the story as you like, letting Lan Chuan join Nobles would be a good conflict point and development direction.
It can also help Hirako Shinji dispel some of his doubts about himself.
Unfortunately, his writing ability is closely linked to the mechanism of collecting Spiritual Power and cannot be changed at will.
Especially the second volume of <Genius Boy Lan Chuan> is an important "Spiritual Power Seeds" in the plan to assist in breaking through the spiritual power, and no random changes are allowed.
The recent situation makes him feel more and more unsafe, and it is urgent to improve his strength. He must be cautious when writing novels.
He shook his head slightly and answered in a clear voice, "In my story, Lan Chuan will not add any Nobles."
As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Kuchiki Ginrei, who had finished his brief conversation with several other Nobles, and was walking towards them with Kuchiki Kyōka.
Yan Si immediately put down the tea cup and stood up first, with a respectful and dignified posture. "Captain Kuchiki."
Aizen stood up almost at the same time and bowed slightly. "Captain Kuchiki."
Kuchiki Ginrei's eyes stayed on Yan Si and Aizen for a moment.
The fact that young Fifth Seat can be brought to such an occasion by their respective captains shows how special they are.
Yan Si's coldness and calmness, and Aizen's gentleness and decency, both left a good initial impression on him.
"Kōga," Kuchiki Ginrei said to the adopted son beside him, "These two are outstanding young people in Thirteen Court Guard Squads. You are similar in age, so maybe we can communicate more."
Kuchiki Kyōka's eyes also fell on Yan Si and Aizen. He could feel the difference between these two people and the other Seat Officer around them.
He nodded and was about to speak.
But Yan Si stepped forward and said calmly to Kuchiki Kyōka: "Brother Kuchiki Kyōka, I wonder if you can lend me a step and have a private chat?"
Kuchiki Kyōka was slightly startled, and looked at Yan Si in surprise, and then at his father-in-law.
Kuchiki Ginrei then nodded in agreement.
"Of course, please come this way." Kuchiki Kyōka regained his calm expression and made an invitation gesture, "The backyard is quiet, let's go over there."
Yan Si nodded slightly to the captains and Yoruichi, then walked side by side towards the side door with Kuchiki Kyōka.
Aizen saw this and greeted everyone politely, and then followed.
Watching the three young people leave, Kuchiki Ginrei did not leave with them.
He turned to Kensei Muguruma and Hirako Shinji who were left behind. His face was a little more serious than before, and his voice was very low:
"Two captains, you must have heard about the recent disputes within Noble Council. I would like to ask you two not to get involved unless necessary."
Hirako Shinji yawned and waved his hands lazily:
"I have no interest at all in the affairs of Mr. Nobles's family. As long as it doesn't affect Seireitei's stability or cause trouble for my squad, I'll be happy and free."
Kensei Muguruma also nodded with a serious expression:
"Since Captain Kuchiki personally mentioned it, the situation must indeed need to be controlled. As long as it does not affect the order of Rukongai and the normal operation of Thirteen Court Guard Squads, we will naturally not intervene.
But we also hope that Captain Kuchiki and other Great Nobles can try to limit the impact within a controllable range."
Kuchiki Ginrei's serious face softened slightly, and he nodded to the two of them. "Thank you two captains for your understanding."
On the other side of the courtyard, Yan Si Ran and the other three stood under the ancient pine trees, far away from the hustle and bustle in the hall.